Nigerian President Muhammadu Buhari has condemned the killing of worshippers and two priests at a Catholic church in Ukpor-Mbalom community in Gwer East Local Government Area of Benue State, saying that it is an attempt to stoke religious conflict and an endless bloodletting.
A statement issued by Femi Adesina, Special Adviser to the President (Media and Publicity), in Abuja said the president is of the view that the assault on innocent priests and worshippers is despicable as he extended his condolences to the people of Benue State and the affected community of St Ignatius’ Catholic Church, Mbalom.
President Buhari vowed that the assailants would be hunted down and made to pay for the sacrilege committed.
“This latest assault on innocent persons is particularly despicable. Violating a place of worship, killing priests and worshippers is not only vile, evil and satanic, it is clearly calculated to stoke up religious conflict and plunge our communities into endless bloodletting.”
Mainwhile Bodies of the two Reverend Catholic priests, two catechists and about 14 lay faithful of the church by suspected Fulani herdsmen in Ayar community of Gwer-East Local Government Area in the state, murdered by the herdsmen have been recovered.
The Roman Catholic community in the State has been thrown into mourning following the killing by the suspected Fulani herdsmen who attacked them while they were at a morning Mass.
The remains of the slain priests were an ugly sight to behold as their killers had butchered and mutilated their bodies hideously.
Reports of the attacks were collaborated by some of the locals who escaped the attack and fled to Makurdi, were among the crowd at the hospital.
